After 19 children and two teachers were killed in Uvalde, Texas, Republicans in the state said they are taking the necessary steps to protect kids: banning them from drag shows.
This urgency for “protection” comes after Texas Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City, issued a statement on Monday promising to file legislation to “ban drag shows in the presence of minors” in the next legislative session.
“Keeping kids away from drag shows isn’t a part of some complicated agenda,” Slaton tweeted. “It’s about keeping them safe from perverted adults who want to sexualize them, that’s it.”
In a viral video that sparked right-wing outrage, a drag show at Mr. Misster cocktail bar in Dallas, Texas, showed children walking down the runway with dancers at the club.
Notably, none of the children who participated were forced on stage by any dancers.
According to reports, despite Slaton committing to protect children from “inappropriate displays,” zero Texas children have died or even been killed at any drag shows across the state.
But reports show that guns are the leading cause of death for children in the U.S. And Texas ranks 22nd for preventable gun deaths according to a 2021 report by Everytown for Gun Safety.
On the other end, for the past year, Texas lawmakers have actively used their political power to criminalize and dehumanize Texas LGBTQ children and their families.
Just last month, the Texas Supreme Court had to stop the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services after Gov. Greg Abbott issued an order to investigate the parents of transgender children for “child abuse.”
Nevertheless, Slaton’s squirrelly tactic isn’t enough to distract from his $50,000 donation from Defend Texas Liberty PAC.
A far-right political action committee that focuses on supporting the most extreme right-wing candidates, including former Republican gubernatorial candidate Don Huffines.
So Texas GOP’s inaction on gun reform thus far can be attributed to mental health, doors, arming teachers and students, video games, rap music, the lack of faith, and now drag shows. We’ll have to wait and see what they come up with next.
Kennedy is a recent graduate of the University of St.Thomas in Houston where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Celt Independent. Kennedy brings her experience of writing about social justice issues to the Texas Signal where she serves as our Political Reporter. She does everything from covering crime beats, Texas politics, and community activism. Kennedy is a passionate reporter, avid reader, coffee enthusiast, and loves to travel.
